Can filling machine



Dec. 1, 1936. R. D. RAPP 2,062,428

CAN FILLING MACHINE Filed Sept. 2, 1953 s Shets-Sheet 1 ROBERT D. RA PP,

JWVJ m Dec. 1, 1936. R. D. RAPP CAN F ILLING MACHINE :5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 2, 1953 Dec. 1, 1936. R D. RAPP CAN FILLING MACHINE Filed Sept. 2, 1933 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 1 7f zmm 2 M H W 9 M I MW ROBERT D. RAP/97 any/M343 Patented Dec. 1, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFIFICE CAN FILLING MACHINE Robert D. Balm, Hammond, Ind. Application September 2, 1933, Serial No. 688,015

Claims.

This invention relates to devices for filling containers, and more particularly to such devices for automatically filling cans or other containers with a powder or comminuted solid.

While cans and other containers have been automatically filled heretofore, certain disadvantages reside in the devices that have been used. In general, such prior apparatus have been of a bulky and cumbersome nature and unsatisfactory in operation. Difliculty has been experienced with such devices in securing uniform and thorough filling of the containers. Also there has been a tendency for the material to clog or block certain passages in prior machines. And furthermore, in previous machines a large amount of material is wasted or lost in the can-filling operation.

To overcome the above, and other disadvantages in prior structures is one of the objects of my invention.

Another object of my invention is to provide a device for filling cans that is of simple, yet sturdy construction.

A further object of my invention is to provide a can-filling machine in which uniformity is obtained among the contents of each can.

And a still further object of my invention is to provide a device of which the operation may be terminated at any time without loss or waste of the filling material.

To accomplish the above, and other important objects, my invention in general resides in the several elements and combinations thereof which will be hereinafter recited, it being understood, of course, that various modifications may be made in either the individual elements or their combinations without departing from the scope of my invention.

To insure a complete understanding of my in- 40 vention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which depict one specific embodiment of my invention, in which corresponding numerals refer to the same parts.

Figure l is a side elevation of one form of device embraced in my invention;

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the apparatus shown in Figure 1;

Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view line 3-3 of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is an end view of the device shown in Figure 1, of what mightbe termed the entrance end;

Figure 5 is a detailed view of a can and its conveying mechanism;

Figure 6 is a view at the exit end of the device, showing means for removing excess contents from the can;

Figure '7 is a more detailed view in perspective so of the wiping element shown in Figure 6;

along the Figure 8 is a longitudinal sectional view of a preferred form of clutch;

Figure 9 is a plan view of the clutch as seen from the line 9-9 of Figure 8;

Figure 10 is a sectional view along the line ill-ill of Figure 8;

Figure 11 is a sectional view along the line i li l of Figure 8.

Referring more specifically to Figures 1 and 2, it will be noted that a standard I is provided upon which a housing 2 of my invention is suitably mounted. The housing 2 terminates in a converging lower portion 3, which in turn is provided with a substantially circular trough 4 extending the length of the housing.

A top 5 is provided for the housing from which is suitably suspended a tapering bin 6. The bin 6 is divided into three compartments running lengthwise thereof, as indicated by dotted lines 1! of Figure 1. It will be observed that the bin compartments are tapered downwardly, as shown in Fig. 3, and are provided at their lower extremities with a mouth member 8 which runs the length of each compartment. It will be observed that the mouth member 8 is provided with flaring lips 9 in order to partially confine the stream of material emitted from the member 8.

The housing is provided with end members H which, of course, serve as walls for the two end compartments of the bin. A series of openings it is provided in the top 5, and these openings serve as inlets for supplying the chambers of the bin with the material to be supplied to the cans. The inlets may either be connected with a primary supply source by means of a pipe, as

' shown by the dotted lines in Fig. 3, or the bins may be filled manually. As will be seen in Fig. 1, the middle bin is considerably larger than the two end bins, and two openings l2 are provided for such middle bin in order to secure even distribution of the material in such bin. It will, of course, be appreciated that the number of bins may be varied if desired.

Each bin is provided with a valve l3 which extends the length of the mouth member 8, and is adapted to be seated therein. Valve stems I4 extend from the valve and project through suitable glands l5 in the top 5. As shown in Fig. 1, the valve it of each compartment is preferably provided with two such stems. Brackets l6 are mounted on the top 5 and carry a guide [1 through which the stem l4 reciprocates. The guide I1 and gland l5 serve to maintain the stem l4 aligned. An arm 18 is suitably secured to the stem 14.

A shaft I9 is mounted on the top 5 and extends the length thereof, being supported by suitable bearings 2| along its length. Adjacent each of the stems l4 eccentrics 22 are keyed on the shaft l9 provided with suitable eccentric sleeves 28. A threaded shaft 24 is mounted on each eccentric sleeve 2!, and extends through an aperture in arm II. A nut 2| isthreaded on the shaft Ilatapointwhereitisadaptedtobearagainst the underside of arm is upon rotation of the eccentric 12. Another nut is adapted to be threadedonshaft24abovethearm.andthereis interposed between the nut 26 and arm II a helical spring 21.

It will, therefore, be observed that upon rotation of eccentric 22, the shaft 26 is reciprocated vertically, and when the nut 2' is suitably positioned, upward movement of the shaft 24 resultsinaraisingofthearm ll. Thisinturn raises the valve stun it to unseat valve member is. Upon further rotation of eccentric 22, and the consequent downward movement of shaft 2l,thevalvestem IlispermittedtofalLand also the spring 21 resiliently urges the stem It and valve it toward a seated position. It will. of course, be appreciated that the degree to which the valve is opened can be controlled by regulation of the nut 2|. In other words, if the nut is displaced downwardly from the podtion shown in Fig. 3, the valve will be opened only during the highest part of the eccentrics throw. Also, it will be observed that the tension of spring 21 can be varied by regulation of the nut 28.

The reciprocation of valve It serves to prevent cl ning of mouth 8 and adhesion of the powder to bin i. This tendency to clog and adhere varies with the character of the powder and climatic conditions, and in some instances is quite pronounced. By providing an intermittent flow, instead of a continuous flow, this tendency is curtailed.

The shaft is is driven by a chain II, or other suitable power transmission, from a take-oi! shaft 20. The shaft 29 is mounted in suitable bearings II which are supported by a platform 32 extendingfromthe top I. Splinedtotheshaft I! isa driven-half 38 of a clutch which may be reciprocated longitudinally of the shaft. As best shown in Fig. 8, this member 83 is made up of two sections 34 and II, which are held together by means of bolts It or other suitable means. The member 34 is provided with recesses in which are arranged helical springs 31, and the member ll is provided with apertures adapted to register with these recessesand to receive the shanks of pins. Itwillbeobservedthatthesprings I! tend to urge and maintain the pins 38 in extended position, but at the same time permit these pinstoberetractedsothattheyareiiushwith the face of member 35.

As shown most clearly in Fig. 9, the member 34 is also provided with a cam surface It, for a purpose to be described later.

The pins 38 are adapted to project within slots I. of a driving-half 42 of the clutch. Member 42, which is freely rotatable upon the shaft is. is provided with a shoulder on which is formed a sprocket 48 adapted to receive a chain 44 which is connected to a source of power, not disclosed.

Block 45, which is clearly shown in Fig. 9, is provided with a surface which corresponds to the pitch of the cam II, is mounted in a guide it and is adapted to reciprocate therein. The block II is operable by means of a sliding rod 41 provided with a suitable handle. The rod 41 is supported by guide members 48, which permit reciprocation of the rod.

As clearly seen in Fig. 8, the rod 41 is provided with an inclined shoulder which corresponds to the lower face of block 4'. Consequently, as the rodismovedtotherlshtin l'll.8.th II is forced upwardly, where it in a tobearagainstthecamsurfaceofmember 8.. Upon further rotation of driven member member will be forced to the left in from the slots ll, the two members It and 42 will be completely disengaged.

A yoke ll is pivoted to a supporting bracket ll mounted on the platform 82. The forks of thisyokeareadaptedtobearagainsttherear face'of member ll, while the lower end is en'- gageable by a bolt II, or other suitable protuberance, on the rod 41. It will, therefore. be seen that as the rod 41 is moved to the left, the bolt ll abuts against the lower portion of yoke ll, andthisinturnthrowsthemember into engagement with the member-42.- As will be ap- Dreciated, the first contact with membu- 4! will be by the heads of pins ll, and such pins,ofcourse,willbedepressedwithintheir recesses until member 42 has rotated to a pointwhere the slots 4| register with the pins, at which time they will be extended into such slots. The clutch will then be in complete engagement.

The cam 39 should be so positioned upon the periphery of the driven-half 34 that the instant the clutch members 33 and 42 are disengaged, the valves is in the bins will be in a closed position. It should be stated that I have found that the work being performed by the various elements geared to the shaft is is sufficient to stop'the rotation of shaft 2! the moment the clutch is dmengaged. It will, therefore, be seen that my clutch, and particularly the earn 8. and block I, insure that the operation of the valves is will be terminated when the valves are in seated position. I

The shaft is is provided with a power-take-of! device 52 which may be in the form of two intermeshing bevel gears, one of opposite end of shaft I8, is provided which carries a chain It. The chain It is connected to a sprocket mounted upon a shaft 55, Journaled at one end of the filling machine, as best shown in Fig. 3. A sprocket It is keyed to the center of this shaft, and is adapted to mesh with a chain I'l.

Asbest showninl lg.5,chainl'lissupported lengthwise of the machine by a metal strip ll. Rails I. are located on each side of the chain '1. asshowninFig.3,andthecans8l tobeillled are supported by both the rails I. and chain I1. I prefer that the rails is aiford the principal support for the cans, and that the contact between the chain I1 and the cans be sufficient merely to insure a movement of the cans through the machine.

The extent to which the chain l'l supports the cans is determined by the position of the strip II. The strip 88 and rails are supported by cross-brackets 8| placed at intervals along the length of the machine, and the strip II is secured to such brackets by means of screws or bolts 02. Washers 63 may be interposed between the strip 58 and bracket I, and the number of these washers determines the elevttion of strip I with respect to the brackets and to the rails Is.

It will, therefore. be seen that the extent to which the chain 51 (which travels over strip It) supports the cans can be regulated by means of the washers 3. Therefore, if it is desired that a the chain 51 support more of the weight of the cans, additional washers 83 may be placed between the strip 58 and brackets 8|, or such additional washers may be necessary from time to time as the chain shows signs of wear.

I have found the use of the combined rails and chains of considerable benefit, because it insures a vibration or jarring of the cans 8|! as they pass through the machine during a filling operation. This is of considerable importance, when the material fed the cans is of a light and voluminous nature, for it provides a means of thoroughly shaking and packing the cans. The jarring or vibration is occasioned by the fact that the chain 51 actually moves through the machine at a faster rate than any individual can, but it does engage the cans sufficiently to insure their movement along track 59. The jarring is directly due to the fact that the chain alternately engages the can frictionally, and then the frictional grip is broken and the can stops. The intermittent stopping and starting serves to thoroughly pack the cans.

Although only a portion of the chain is shown in the drawings, it will be appreciated that it is of the endless type. As shown in Fig. 1, the chain 51 and rails 59 are shown as extending beyond the limits of the filling machine. For instance, one end of the chain and track may cooperate with a device for loading the cans upon the chain, while the other end may be connected to a closing machine.

Suitably journaled within the circular trough 4 is an endless screw 64 which, upon rotation in one direction, tends to urge any material within the trough toward one end. At this end, there is provided a chute 65 which empties into an elevator chamber 68. Within the elevator 66, there is an endless screw 61, and at the top of the elevator a chute 68 is provided which empties into one of the compartments of bin 6, preferably the first compartment.

= The screws 84 and 61 are driven from the shaft l9. As shown in Fig. 4, a sprocket 69 is keyed upon the shaft, and this sprocket carries a chain II. The top end of lscrewtl is provided with a beveled gear 12, which meshes with a beveled gear 13 keyed on a shaft 14. A sprocket I5 is also keyed on the shaft 14 which engages the chain I i The lower end of screw 61 is also provided with a beveled gear 16 which meshes with a corresponding gear 11 mounted upon a shaft 18. The shaft 18 also carries a sprocket over which passes a chain 19 which is connected to a sprocket upon a shaft 8| which carries the screw 64.

It will, therefore, be seen that during a filling operation, a certain amount of the material will overflow the cans 80, but such overflow is directed to the trough 4, in which it is constantly moved toward the chute 65 by means of the endless screw 84. Such material passes through the chute 65 to the lower end of elevator 66, and is there raised by means of screw 61 to the chute 68. The material is discharged from the elevator through chute 68 and directed to one of the compartments of bin 6.

Although the amount of material which each can receives may be very closely regulated by means of the adjustable nuts 25 and also the speed at which the machine operates, I have found it desirable to provide additional means for insuring a uniformity in the contents of each can. Such means is operable upon completion of the filling operation and just prior to the final passage of the cans from the filling machine. The specific meansis clearly shown in Figs. 6 and 7, where it will be observed that I provide a wiper 82, of generally semi-circular shape. This wiper is preferably composed of fabric or some other suitable flexible material. As shown best in Fig. 6, it is adapted to extend slightly within the top of each can and to remove a portion of the contents. Each can obviously would be relieved of a portion of its contents, and the remaining contents will be the same for each can.

The wiper 82 is mounted upon a shoe 83, which in turn is rigidly secured to a shaft 84. The shoe 83 and shaft 84 extend within a well 85, against one side of which the face of shoe 83 is adapted to lightly bear. of course, prevents rotation of shoe 83. The upper end of shaft 84 is threaded and receives a nut 88. The nut 88 is rotatively fitted within a well 81 on the top 5, and the upper end of such nut forms a beveled gear 88. A beveled gear 89 meshes with gear 88, and is keyed to a shaft 9| provided with a handle 92. It will be observed, therefore, that rotation of handle 92 effects a vertical displacement of the shoe and wiper 82. There is secured thereby a control of the amount of material that is removed from each container, which will depend upon the extent to which the wiper 82 projects into each can.

It is believed that from the foregoing the operation of my invention will be readily apparent. The compartments of bin 8 are first filled with the material to be fed the cans, or as heretofore stated, these bins may be continuously supplied with the material through means of the feed pipes such as shown in dotted lines of Fig. 3.

At the beginning of operations the power source to which the chain 44 is connected is started. Inasmuch as clutch members 34 and 42 are disengaged upon termination of a filling operation, rod H is pushed to the left. This forces yoke 59 against the driven-half 34, and at the same time block 45 is permitted to fall within guide 48 so that it is freed from engagement with cam 39. As driven-half 34 is urged toward the driving member 42, the pins 38 will be depressed until the slots M of the driven member register with the pins, at which time the springs 31 will force the pins into such slots. Further movement of driving member 42 effects seating of the pins against the rear end of the slot, which results in rotation of driven member 34 with the driving member 42.

This rotation of driven member 34 is transmitted through shaft 29 and chain 28 to the shaft l9. Inasmuch as the cans 60 have been placed upon the conveyor prior to the operation of the device, rotation of shaft 19 starts the cans on their passage through the apparatus, by reason of the take-off 52 and associated transmission elements.

Rotation of the shaft l9 also commences operation of the valves I3. The eccentrics 22, keyed upon shaft l9, raise the'arms I8 during a part of the eccentrics rotation, and this results in 9. raising or unseating of valve I3. The weight of the valve l3 and its associated mechanism, as well as the resiliency of spring 21, serve to return the valve to a seated position upon further rotation of the eccentric. It will be observed, of course, that the springs 21 afford a cushioning effectduring reciprocation of valve l3. The reciprocation of valve l3 provides an intermittent flow of the material through bin 6, and such Inany at such events, the material that is notdirectedintocanswillia'litothetroughl. In view or the gearing between the shaft II, and between screw to one 01 the bin compartments where it h re-fed through mouth I to-the cans.

' Just prior to the time that the cans leave the filling machine, a portion of their contents is brushed or scooped out by the wiper 0!, so that thecansgototheclosm-emachine with'aimii'orm amount of material.

Also, it will be noted,-that the cans are sub- .lected to a slight jarring or vibration as they are being filled, resulting from the fact that they arepartlysimportedbytracksilandpartlyby chain 51, the c I! having sumcient engagement with the can to eitect its movement through the machine, but not sumcient to have such movement continuous and regular. As the chain is subjected to wear, and thereby becomes lowered withrespecttorails ll,orintheeventthatit is desirable that the chain I! assume a greater portion of the weight of the cans and thereby reduce vibration of the cans, additional washers limaybeinsertedbetweenstrip "and Whenitisdesiredtostoptheoperatiomlever 41 is moved to the right in Fig. 8, thereby releasingpressure on'yokellandatthesametime raising block so that it engages cam ll, thereby forcing driven-halt 84 out of engagement with the driving member 42 of the clutch. As stated, pinsllaretreeoftheslots bration of the cans during the the machine, and in 82 removes all material in excessoi that which may be desir The clutch arrangement insures that no material will be upon termination of the filling operation, and the reelevator I prevent any 10s of material i'romthe circuit. The reciprocating valves I! provide an intermittent flow through the bin 8, which serves to prevent material adherlng to the bin or cl ning the discharge mouth I. Adjustability oi these valves by means of nuts 25 and II.

While my invention is particularly adapted for use with powders or other finely comminuted solids. it will. 01' course. be appreciated that it is acrewfland not limited thereto. the word can a zlnaca nfillingapparatus are adapted to travel 3. Inacanfilling Itwillbethat in which the cans on a conveyor while being a supply of relatively powdered material to be tedtotheeanaa valve, an eccentric discharge outlet eachoutlet,a andltraptherer lngwitheachvalveatennsald 5. In a can filling apparatus. means to contain a i'edtothe reeiprocahle valve adapted to open and close the position.

ROBERT D. RAPP. 

